Quote:
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Originally Posted by icallfouls
JR,
Please direct me to the reference you are applying in this situation. As for me, a forearm in and of itself does not constitute a foul and to say that it is, seems a little officious. My interpretation of the OP is that they meant every time an arm bar is used is this a foul? It is not unless it impedes, reroutes, or displaces. A forearm can be used to absorb contact as long as it isn't extended.
If I am defending in the post, playing behind and to the side of the offense, I extend an arm to deter the entry pass and I have my off arm in front of my chest and more than likely it is in contact with the offense. If the offense ins't actively working to get the ball, I am not going to call this.
If memory serves the intent of the NFHS was to stop the pushing that players do with the arm bar, is this what you are referring to?
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Nope, your memory is incorrect. the NFHS meant to
stop the usage of an arm bar
completely. Using the criteria "impedes, re-routes or displaces" basically is the NCAA Mens interpretation,
not the NFHS'. The NCAA MENS POE says something to the effect that you can't use a forearm to prevent a player from attaining or maintaining their legal position.
That cite that I made is direct from POE 4A in the 2002-03 NFHS rule book, and it refers to a forearm on
any player anywhere on the court. It was also repeated
verbatim from the 2001-02 rulebook. The 2003-04 rulebook in POE 2A-7 also stated
"When a player jabs a hand or forearm on a player, it's a foul."
Iow, maybe for you, the forearm in and of itself does not constitute a foul, but to the FED it sureasheck does. They said so for
three straight years in their rule book.
Now, whether it gets called according to the FED interpretation faithfully is a whole 'nother matter. From the responses in this thread, I'd say that it looks like it depends on the region. Whether any of us agree or not personally, I think that whether the forearm is
uniformly called throughout a region is more important anyway. The coaches and players should be able to know exactly what they can do out there from game to game without getting called for a foul.
Btw, in our region, we teach our officials to call the forearm immediately, with the same goal in mind as the FED....to cut down on rough play.